Skating Polly, Manchester

Skating Polly biography

Formed from an impromptu jam at a Halloween party in 2009, Skating Polly is a punk/rock/pop band originally started by stepsisters and multi-instrumentalists Kelli Mayo and Peyton Bighorse in Oklahoma City. The duo became a trio in 2017 with the addition of Kelli’s brother, Kurtis Mayo, on drums, allowing Peyton and Kelli to focus on their instruments. Raised on ‘70s punk and ‘90s alt-rock, the siblings — Kelli (24), Peyton (29), and Kurtis — draw inspiration from artists like Johnny Cash, The Ramones, Nirvana, Bikini Kill, and NWA, infusing their music with raw, eclectic energy they call “ugly-pop.” Now based in Tacoma, Washington, the band has earned a devoted following (“Pollyholics”) and praise from figures like Cervenka, Rosanne Cash, and Sean Lennon. They’ve shared stages with punk icons like Mike Watt and L7, and indie acts like Deerhoof and Band of Horses. Touring with their dad as manager, they channel road time into creativity—writing on ukuleles or learning Mandarin for future global gigs. With Chaos County Line and its lead single “Hickey King,” Skating Polly continues to evolve, blending punk ferocity with personal depth. Committed to reviving riot grrrl and defying trends, they live by Kelli’s ethos: “We’re inspired by musicians who never stop inventing. Fans tell us, ‘Keep going, don’t quit,’ and we’re like, ‘Yeah, we weren’t planning to.’”

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